Answer:
The Romans were great hosts and considered it an honor if someone important visited them. Despite Cicero's complaints about the visit Julius Caesar paid to him and his having to feed 5,000 of Caesar's bodyguards and staff, they were nearly always willing to show off their houses and wealth. As the ancient world had no embassies as we know them, officials from foreign countries were customarily housed in private homes. High ranking prisoners of war, such as kings who would be displayed in a general's triumph, were also housed in private homes, under guard, as Rome had no long term prisons. The homeowner was usually not present during the occupation. A prime example of Roman hospitality was when Cleopatra visited Rome. She was housed in Julius Caesar's villa outside of the city.